Youth facing barriers to employment develop skills and gain opportunities through Skills Link funding
HAMILTON, ON, July 12, 2017 /CNW/ - When Canada's most vulnerable youth get the help and support they need to find and keep good jobs, our middle class grows and our economy thrives.
Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, announced that the Government of Canada will help 150 vulnerable youth develop essential skills and knowledge needed to overcome barriers to employment, join the workforce or return to school. Living Rock Ministries' TRI-Rock Program will receive over $1.5 million in Skills Link funding.
Project participants will take part in workshops that focus on a variety of job preparation skills, including career exploration, résumé writing, job search and time management. They will also develop skills related to janitorial services, reception, inventory control, food preparation, basic property maintenance and landscaping.
Minister Hajdu made the announcement at the organization, accompanied by Filomena Tassi, Member of Parliament for Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas, and Bob Bratina, Member of Parliament for Hamilton East–Stoney Creek.
Quotes
"Supporting vulnerable youth means they will have the chance to thrive in the workforce. Our government is firmly focused on inclusive growth, which means ensuring that every Canadian has a fair shot at success. Through this Skills Link funding, youth will get the support they need to have a successful future."
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
"I am proud that our government recognizes the important role that all youth play in our society. The Skills Link funding will equip vulnerable youth in communities across Canada with the resources they need to succeed in the workforce and encourage them to reach their fullest potential."
– Filomena Tassi, Member of Parliament for Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas
"Through this Skills Link funding, vulnerable youth in Hamilton will have the ability to develop their skills and gain experience in the workforce. Our government is committed to ensuring a positive future for our youth."
– Bob Bratina, Member of Parliament for Hamilton East–Stoney Creek
"Living Rock is extremely excited to have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of so many young people over the next three years with the renewal of the TRI-Rock employment program. Having three years of funding through Service Canada enables us to sustain and effectively maintain this pinnacle program in the youth community."
– Alan Craig, Executive Director, Living Rock Ministries
Quick Facts
- Each year the Government invests more than $330 million in the Youth Employment Strategy (YES) to help young people gain the skills, abilities and work experience they need to find and maintain good employment.
- Total funding for YES was increased by $278 million in 2016–17, representing the largest investment since its launch.
- Budget 2017 will invest an additional $395.5 million over three years for YES, starting in 2017–18.
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Youth Employment Strategy
The Youth Employment Strategy (YES) is the Government of Canada's commitment to help youth make a successful transition to the workplace. YES helps youth between the ages of 15 and 30 get the information and gain the skills, job experience and abilities they need to make a successful transition to the workforce. YES includes Skills Link, Career Focus and Summer Work Experience and is delivered by 11 federal departments.
- Summer Work Experience provides wage subsidies to employers to create summer employment for secondary and post-secondary students. The Summer Work Experience program includes Canada Summer Jobs.
- Skills Link helps youth facing barriers to employment—including single parents, youth with disabilities, Indigenous youth, young newcomers and youth in rural and remote areas—to develop employability skills and gain the experience they need to find a job or return to school.
- Career Focus helps post-secondary graduates transition to the labour market through paid internships. It helps provide youth with the information and experience they need to make informed career decisions, find a job or pursue advanced studies.
Each year, the Government invests more than $330 million through YES to help young people gain the skills and experience they need to find and keep good jobs.
Budget 2016 provided $165.4 million in 2016–17 for YES to create new green jobs for youth, increase the number of youth who access the Skills Link program and support employment opportunities in the heritage sector. In 2016, the Government of Canada nearly doubled the Canada Summer Jobs program, creating tens of thousands of additional jobs for young people each year.
To further expand employment opportunities for young Canadians, Budget 2017 proposes to provide an additional $395.5 million over three years, starting in 2017–18 for YES.
The 2016 and 2017 investments will help more than 33,000 vulnerable youth develop the skills they need to find work or go back to school; create 15,000 new green jobs for young Canadians; and provide over 1,600 new employment opportunities for youth in the heritage sector.
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
Matt Pascuzzo, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P., Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, [email protected], 819-654-5613; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]
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